Protests break out in Assam against Bodo militant attack

Guwahati: Scores of protests were taken out against the killing of 72 persons in an NDFB assault and alleged police firing in Assam. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Anjan Dutta described the attack as a "dastardly act".

He said two delegations would visit the affected villages in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts.

The state unit of CPI(M) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) took out rallies to protest the killings. The KMSS members burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in front of the state Secretariat here while accusing him of failing to protect the people.

The All Assam Students Union (AASU) staged a mute protest covering their mouths in black strap.

The Amnesty International, in a statement, condemned the attack and urged the authorities to step up security for civilians and bring the perpetrators to justice.

"The attack is highly condemnable and shows contempt for human lives. It is the fundamental right of every person to live free from violence and discrimination," the international human rights body said.

Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) denounced the killing as "crimes against humanity as defined under Rome Statute of International Criminal Court".

ACHR also called upon the state government and the Centre to ensure registration of FIRs, thorough investigation into the incident.

At least 37 people were killed in Sonitpur district, 25 in Kokrajhar and three in Chirang district after heavily armed militants allegedly belonging to the Songbijit faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) swooped down on remote Adivasi villages of the three districts last evening.